Cricket is spreading its wings. Someone like the great Vivian Richards, the West Indian legend, had some years ago wished that this should happen after his experience of seeing the huge enthusiasm for the sport, particularly the T20 variety in the Gulf region. Now the big-time event in cricket, the T20 world cup has arrived in the USA which along with West Indies are hosting this marquee championship this time. Not that cricket is new to America, the Major League Cricket is there and indeed India and West Indies had played a few matches of their 2016 and 2023 T20 series there. But for a country which has hosted the Olympics multiple times and even the World Cup football (1994), this will be a first, a World Cup cricket on its soil. What better indication than that, thanks to the T20 version, cricket is truly becoming a global event if not still comparable yet to soccer. But the big march has begun. Indeed, the USA would look at this major championship as one more effort to strengthen the interest for this sport in the country and there is another reason. The 2028 edition of the Olympics is to be hosted by the USA and cricket (men and women) is one of the disciplines planned.

That much for USA’s interest and enthusiasm but for the cricket lovers around the world it is another occasion to delve into the thrills of the bat and ball that T20 always promises. The just concluded IPL, a hugely accepted event, perhaps world over, gave a sample of what cricket excitement can be all about. The venue now changes to a larger locale spread over two countries, one, the West Indies a traditionally big power in the sport. Picturesque settings are in place to match the high-quality cricket expected with around a third of the 55 matches scheduled in three cities in America.  Twenty teams are in the fray including the three debutants, host USA, Canada and Uganda. All three gained acceptance by dint of their fine performances. USA, automatic entrant as host, had last month carved out a 2-1 win against Bangladesh in a T20 series, Canada in the warm up campaign had a significant win over Nepal while Uganda gained notice after finishing second in the T20 world cup Africa qualifier. What will be their influence on the big stage amidst the seasoned campaigners will be one area of curious interest for the cricket aficionados.

Whatever flashes that the newcomers or lesser-known nations can throw up in the course of the championship it still becomes difficult to see anything beyond the fancied teams to make the super eight phase, where starts the true fight for supremacy. Here again, considering the way T20 can surprise and shock, there can never be a true prediction of who would lift the coveted Cup. Evidence of this can be seen in the way results had panned out from the time (2007) this Cup was instituted. Since the inaugural edition was held in South Africa, six teams had won the title with West Indies and England the only ones to lift the Cup twice each.

All said and done, close matches should be the feature with some big hitting the highlight. Already USA gave a glimpse of its capability with a convincing win over Canada in the championship opener. USA’s Aaron Jones must have been the toast of the home team supporters with his free-wheeling unbeaten 40-ball 94 that had ten hits over the fence! That probably sets the tone as every day from now on surely would promise many more spectacles of this kind and more. Perhaps the initial look out for fans would be the much publicised India-Pakistan encounter. An assured high voltage drama when the two face each other, this time too it should not any less. One thing it can be said with certainty there would be more eyeballs for this than perhaps any other contest!

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Fans of India pose for a photo ahead of the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between India and Ireland at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. l Photo: AFP

This is not to put in the shade the abilities of the others like Australia, England, New zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa. India fans will in particular not forget what Australia can do having seen it grab the ODI world cup title in Ahmedabad last year. Having recorded ten straight wins before coming to the final, many had expected a home team triumph. The huge stadium was filled to capacity but in the end it was Travis Head who did the impossible, ensuring a grand victory for Australia and leaving the fans dumbstruck.  Head who was a delight in the IPL will be there for more heroics. Not that India does not have its own heroes but the day’s performance that will be the key to everything around success. Still India has an additional pressure of being ranked number one even if history has not been too kind to it here. Except for winning the inaugural edition in 2007, India has hardly sparkled barring finishing runner up to Sri Lanka in 2014.

Much interest surrounds West Indies, considering the talents from this country have had good time in franchise cricket the world over. Besides, West Indies in the run up to the World cup had come up with a convincing 3-0 win over South Africa in a T20 series. That should have done the side a world of good in confidence. There is then much to look forward to even as the USA settles down to becoming an important centre for this sport in the seasons to come. Good for cricket, as they say.